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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Inspired Men and Women of God

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we get to hear from our leadership twice a year. I love General Conference and probably more than ever before, I greatly anticipated the words of our church leaders last week. I know that many of you did as well. My heart was lifted and a little hope was put back into my spirit. I decided to choose some of my favorite parts to send to my missionary son and to give to my teenage daughter. I will also post them here,and challenge you to post what touched your heart on your blog (I would love to know!), and to make sure you children know how you felt about it as well. Warning - this post is long....

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge of the Seventy

Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it.

There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way is foolishness.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become "the pure in heart". "Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom,” said the Lord, “otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself". The law of the celestial kingdom is, of course, the gospel law and covenants, which include our constant remembrance of the Savior and our pledge of obedience, sacrifice, consecration, and fidelity.

The Savior was critical of some of the early Saints for their "lustful . . . desires" These were people who lived in a non-television, non-film, non-Internet, non-iPod world. In a world now awash in sexualized images and music, are we free from lustful desires and their attendant evils? Far from pushing the limits of modest dress or indulging in the vicarious immorality of pornography, we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness. To come to Zion, it is not enough for you or me to be somewhat less wicked than others. We are to become not only good but holy men and women. Recalling Elder Neal A. Maxwell's phrase, let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon (see Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990], 47).

Elder Robert D. Hales Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Without guile, true disciples avoid being unduly judgmental of others’ views. Many of us have cultivated strong friendships with those who are not members of our Church—schoolmates, colleagues at work, and friends and neighbors throughout the world. We need them, and they need us. As President Thomas S. Monson has taught, “Let us learn respect for others. . . .

Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President

“In the strengthof the Lord, I can do allthings.”

President Thomas S. Monson, PROPHET

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

If you can understand a people so long-suffering, so tolerant, so forgiving, so Christian after what they had suffered, you will have unlocked the key to what a Latter-day Saint is. Rather than being consumed with revenge, they were anchored to revelation… That same Lucifer who was cast out of our Father’s presence is still at work. He, with the angels who followed him, will trouble the work of the Lord and destroy it if he can.

But we will stay on course. We will anchor ourselves as families and as a church to these principles and ordinances. Whatever tests lie ahead, and they will be many, we must remain faithful and true.

Elder M. Russell Ballard, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

This is not to suggest that our challenges today are more severe than the challenges faced by those who have gone before us. They are just different. The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.

This is a great time to live, brothers and sisters, and it is up to us to carry on the rich tradition of devoted commitment that has been the hallmark of previous generations of Latter-day Saints. This is not a time for the spiritually faint of heart. We cannot afford to be superficially righteous.

Elder Quentin L. Cook, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The challenges we face today are in their own way comparable to challenges of the past. The recent economic crisis has caused significant concern throughout the world. Employment and financial problems are not unusual. Many people have physical and mental health challenges. Others deal with marital problems or wayward children. Some have lost loved ones. Addictions and inappropriate or harmful propensities cause heartache. Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them.

We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. We also know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. It is also true that every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardships we endure, the reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and “succor his people according to their infirmities.”

4 comments:

Thanks for posting that Deon. I haven't heard conference yet because I was in China. So, I liked having that sneak preview. All your favorites - now when I hear them again it will hopefully sink in even better. :-) Good stuff.

MMmmm, I really love conference too. Such wonderful talks every time. Just so you know my yearly motto will come from this conference. Pres. Monson said, "Don't let problems that need to be solved take precidence over someone that needs to be loved." I really loved that, I find myself regualarly shoving my kids to the background so that I can get my work done. Anyway, that's my new phylosophy.

I loved this confrence I think mostly because I teach the confrence talks in R.S. so I feel like I have gotten to know the apostles better this year so I was excited to hear them give their talks. But I LOVED Pres. Monsons talk about not stressing over the small things and just loving on our little ones.

It was so nice to see you guys and spends some time with you. We need to do it more often. I am so glad you blog now we can stay in touch better.